FILED: ONONDAGA COUNTY CLERK 04/04/2018 04:26 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 112
`
`INDEX NO. 2016EF795
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/04/2018
`
`STATE
`SUPREME
`
`OF NEW YORK
`COURT
`
`COUNTY
`
`OF ONONDAGA
`
`MURNANE
`
`BUILDING
`
`CONTRACTORS,
`
`INC.,
`
`vs.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`'
`
`CAMERON
`CAMERON
`and ROBERT
`
`HILL
`CONSTRUCTION,
`SYRACUSE
`GROUP,
`LLC,
`H. LAW,
`INC.,
`
`THE
`LLC,
`UNIVERSITY
`
`'
`
`Defendants.
`
`AFFIRMATION
`
`No.:
`Index
`RJI No.:
`Donald
`
`Hon.
`
`2016-EF-795
`33-16-0257
`A. Greenwood
`
`JOHN G. POWERS,
`
`under
`
`penalty
`
`of perjury,
`
`affirms
`
`as follows:
`
`1.
`
`I am an attorney
`
`duly
`
`licensed
`
`to practice
`
`law in the State
`
`of New York,
`
`a
`
`partner
`
`in the
`
`law firm
`
`of Hancock
`
`Estabrook,
`
`LLP,
`
`and
`
`counsel
`
`for Syracuse
`
`University
`
`(hereinafter,
`
`the
`
`"University"
`"University").
`
`2.
`
`I make
`
`this
`
`Affirmation
`
`in support
`
`of
`
`the University's
`
`Motion,
`
`pursuant
`
`to
`
`CPLR
`
`§ 602(a),
`
`to consolidate
`
`the
`
`above-captioned
`
`case
`
`(the
`
`"Lien
`
`Action"
`Action")
`
`for
`
`trial
`
`with
`
`a
`
`related
`
`case
`
`pending
`
`in New York
`
`State
`
`Supreme
`
`Court,
`
`Onondaga
`
`County,
`
`titled
`
`Cameron
`
`Hill
`
`Construction,
`
`LLC,
`
`v. Syracuse
`
`University;
`
`of Syracuse
`
`Industrial
`
`Development
`
`Agency
`
`and City
`
`of Syracuse,
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`2014-EF-2722
`
`(the
`
`"Initial
`
`Action"
`Action").
`
`City
`
`3.
`
`The University
`
`brings
`
`this motion
`
`because
`
`the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`and
`
`the
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`each
`
`involve
`
`common,
`
`overlapping,
`
`and
`
`intertwined
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`and
`
`law and
`
`consolidating
`
`these
`
`actions
`
`would
`
`promote
`
`judicial
`
`efficiency
`
`and
`
`avoid
`
`the
`
`threat
`
`of
`
`inconsistent
`
`verdicts.
`
`4.
`
`A true
`
`and
`
`correct
`
`copy
`
`of
`
`the Complaint
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`is attached
`
`hereto
`
`as Exhibit
`
`"A."
`
`5.
`
`In the
`
`Initial
`
`Action,
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`Cameron
`
`Hill
`
`Construction,
`
`LLC
`
`("Cameron"),
`
`alleges
`
`that
`
`the University
`
`breached
`
`contractual
`
`promises
`
`made
`
`in a Ground
`
`Lease
`
`and
`
`a related
`
`Amended
`
`and Restated
`
`Right
`
`of Entry
`
`Agreement
`
`that
`
`contemplated
`
`IH3300496.1}
`
`1 of 5
`
`

`

`FILED: ONONDAGA COUNTY CLERK 04/04/2018 04:26 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 112
`
`INDEX NO. 2016EF795
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/04/2018
`
`Cameron's
`
`lease
`
`and
`
`development
`
`of a certain
`
`parcel
`
`of
`
`the University's
`
`real
`
`property
`
`(the
`
`"Premises"
`"Premises"),
`
`upon
`
`which
`
`Cameron
`
`would
`
`construct
`
`and
`
`operate
`
`a University
`
`bookstore,
`
`fitness
`
`center,
`
`and
`
`retail
`
`space
`
`(the
`
`"Project"
`"Project").
`
`"A"
`
`Ex.
`
`at ¶¶ 7, 77,
`
`78,
`
`95-97,
`
`104-108,
`
`118-
`
`119.
`
`6.
`
`A significant
`
`portion
`
`of
`
`the
`
`damages
`
`claimed
`
`by Cameron
`
`as against
`
`the
`
`University
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`are amounts
`
`claimed
`
`to be expended
`
`by Cameron
`
`to pay
`
`for
`
`"A"
`
`the
`
`initial
`
`construction
`
`work
`
`performed
`
`on the Premises
`
`as part
`
`of
`
`the Project.
`
`Ex.
`
`at ¶¶
`
`28,
`
`77
`
`as Exhibit
`
`"B."
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`A true
`
`and
`
`correct
`
`copy
`
`of
`
`the Complaint
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`is attached
`
`hereto
`
`Unpaid
`
`amounts
`
`for
`
`construction
`
`work
`
`performed
`
`on the
`
`same
`
`Project
`
`are also
`
`the
`
`underlying
`
`basis
`
`for
`
`the
`
`claims
`
`brought
`
`by Plaintiff
`
`Murnane
`
`Building
`
`Contractors,
`
`Inc.
`
`("Murnane")
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action.
`
`Murnane
`
`seeks
`
`damages
`
`for
`
`amounts
`
`it expended
`
`9.
`
`Specifically,
`
`work
`
`under
`
`a construction
`
`contract
`
`with
`
`Cameron
`
`relative
`
`to the
`
`construction
`
`University
`
`bookstore,
`
`fitness
`
`center,
`
`and
`
`retail
`
`space
`
`on the Premises.
`
`Ex.
`
`performing
`
`of
`
`the
`
`very
`
`same
`
`"B"
`
`at ¶¶ 9, 12.
`
`10.
`
`The
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`also
`
`involves
`
`interpretation
`
`and
`
`enforcement
`
`of
`
`the
`
`same
`
`agreements
`
`at
`
`issue
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action-the
`
`Ground
`
`Lease
`
`and
`
`the Amended
`
`and Restated
`
`Right
`
`of Entry
`
`Agreement.
`
`See id.
`
`at ¶ 8.
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`seek
`
`a mechanic's
`
`lien
`
`11.
`
`Murnane's
`
`claims
`
`in the
`
`to:
`
`(i)
`
`enforce
`
`against
`
`the University
`
`that
`
`it
`
`filed
`
`on the Premises;
`
`and/or
`
`(ii)
`
`recover
`
`compensation
`
`for
`
`its
`
`construction
`
`activities
`
`on the Project
`
`via
`
`its
`
`construction
`
`contract
`
`with
`
`Cameron.
`
`Id.
`
`at ¶¶
`
`42-
`
`49;
`
`75-88.
`
`12.
`
`In the
`
`Lien
`
`Action,
`
`Cameron
`
`has
`
`also
`
`filed
`
`crosselaims
`
`against
`
`the University.
`
`A true
`
`and
`
`correct
`
`copy
`
`of Cameron's
`
`Answer
`
`and Crosselaims
`
`are attached
`
`hereto
`
`as Exhibit
`
`"C."
`
`IH3300496.1
`
`}
`
`2
`
`2 of 5
`
`

`

`FILED: ONONDAGA COUNTY CLERK 04/04/2018 04:26 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 112
`
`INDEX NO. 2016EF795
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/04/2018
`
`13.
`
`The
`
`allegations
`
`of Cameron's
`
`crosselaims
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`mirror-and,
`
`in
`
`many
`
`places,
`
`are identical
`
`to-Cameron's
`
`direct
`
`claims
`
`against
`
`the University
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action.
`
`See id.
`
`at ¶¶ 28-130.
`
`14.
`
`In the
`
`Lien
`
`Action,
`
`the University
`
`has
`
`also
`
`crosselaimed
`
`against
`
`Cameron.
`
`A
`
`true
`
`and
`
`correct
`
`copy
`
`of
`
`the University's
`
`Amended
`
`Answer,
`
`Counterclaim,
`
`and Crosselaims
`
`are attached
`
`hereto
`
`as Exhibit
`
`"D."
`
`15.
`
`Under
`
`its
`
`crosselaims
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action,
`
`the University
`
`seeks
`
`indemnification
`
`from
`
`Cameron
`
`under
`
`of
`
`failure
`
`to
`
`specific
`
`provisions
`
`the Ground
`
`Lease
`
`based
`
`on Cameron's
`
`protect
`
`the University
`
`from
`
`Murnane's
`
`mechanic's
`
`lien
`
`or otherwise
`
`procure
`
`its
`
`immediate
`
`discharge.
`
`See id.
`
`at ¶¶
`
`11.01,
`
`11.02.
`
`16.
`
`It
`
`is respectfully
`
`submitted
`
`that
`
`both
`
`the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`and
`
`the
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`relate
`
`to the
`
`same
`
`construction
`
`project
`
`and
`
`that
`
`both
`
`actions
`
`necessarily
`
`involve
`
`common
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law and
`
`fact.
`
`17.
`
`The
`
`common
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law include
`
`the
`
`interpretation
`
`and
`
`enforcement
`
`of
`
`the Ground
`
`the Amended
`
`and Restated
`
`Right
`
`and
`
`a certain
`
`Lease,
`
`of Entry
`
`Agreement,
`
`Affidavit
`
`and Waiver
`
`of Lien
`
`dated May
`
`6, 2014
`
`(attached
`
`hereto
`
`as Exhibit
`
`"E").
`
`The
`
`Ground
`
`Lease
`
`and
`
`the Amended
`
`and Restated
`
`Right
`
`of Entry
`
`are the
`
`contracts
`
`at
`
`issue
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`and
`
`are the
`
`documents
`
`that
`
`purportedly
`
`provide,
`
`define,
`
`and
`
`potentially
`
`limit,
`
`"consent"
`
`the
`
`needed
`
`to create
`
`a lienable
`
`interest
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action.
`
`These
`
`agreements
`
`also
`
`purportedly
`
`provide
`
`a basis
`
`for Cameron
`
`to seek
`
`contract
`
`damages
`
`from
`
`the University
`
`in both
`
`Lien
`
`Action
`
`Initial
`
`The Affidavit
`
`and Waiver
`
`is at
`
`issue
`
`in both
`
`the
`
`and
`
`the
`
`Action.
`
`of Lien
`
`actions
`
`as a potential
`
`limitation
`
`on the
`
`recovery
`
`of damages.
`
`18.
`
`The
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`common
`
`to both
`
`actions
`
`include
`
`the
`
`required
`
`proof
`
`related
`
`to the performance
`
`and
`
`quantification
`
`of
`
`the
`
`construction
`
`work
`
`performed
`
`by Murnane
`
`on the Project.
`
`This
`
`issue
`
`is relevant
`
`to Cameron's
`
`claim
`
`to damages
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`and
`
`its
`
`crosselaims
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action,
`
`and
`
`to Murnane's
`
`contract
`
`claims
`
`against
`
`Cameron
`
`and
`
`lien
`
`claim
`
`against
`
`the University
`
`in the
`
`Lien
`
`Action.
`
`(H3300496.1
`
`}
`
`3 of 5
`
`

`

`FILED: ONONDAGA COUNTY CLERK 04/04/2018 04:26 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 112
`
`INDEX NO. 2016EF795
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/04/2018
`
`19.
`
`Under
`
`the
`
`circumstances,
`
`it should
`
`not
`
`reasonably
`
`be subject
`
`to dispute
`
`that
`
`the
`
`two
`
`actions
`
`involve
`
`common
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law and
`
`fact.
`
`Indeed,
`
`the
`
`scenario
`
`present
`
`here
`
`is
`
`one
`
`that
`
`courts
`
`have
`
`routinely
`
`found
`
`appropriate
`
`for
`
`consolidation.
`
`See,
`
`e.g., Edward
`
`Joy Co.
`
`v. McGuire
`
`& Bennett,
`
`Inc.,
`
`
`
`199,19.9
`
`A.D.2d
`
`1015
`
`(4th
`
`Dep't.
`
`1993)
`
`(finding
`
`that
`
`it would
`
`be a
`
`"waste
`
`of
`
`judicial
`
`time
`
`and
`
`resources"
`
`to require
`
`separate
`
`trial
`
`on a breach
`
`of
`
`contract
`
`action
`
`action
`
`for
`
`same
`
`Inc.
`
`and
`
`a lien
`
`foreclosure
`
`the
`
`project);
`
`D & A Const.,
`
`v. New York
`
`City Hous.
`
`Auth.,
`
`105 A.D.3d
`
`464
`
`(1st Dep't.
`
`2013)
`
`(finding
`
`that
`
`consolidation
`
`of general
`
`contractor's
`
`action
`
`against
`
`owner
`
`to recover
`
`funds
`
`allegedly
`
`due
`
`for
`
`two
`
`construction
`
`projects
`
`with
`
`subcontractors'
`
`lien
`
`foreclosure
`
`action
`
`against
`
`owner
`
`and
`
`general
`
`contractor
`
`was warranted).
`
`20.
`
`In addition,
`
`because
`
`identical
`
`issues
`
`of breach
`
`of
`
`contract
`
`liability
`
`and
`
`damages
`
`are being
`
`determined
`
`in two
`
`different
`
`cases-e.g.,
`
`Cameron
`
`is litigating
`
`the
`
`exact
`
`same
`
`claims
`
`in each
`
`there
`
`exists
`
`real
`
`potential
`
`of
`
`inconsistent
`
`a
`
`against
`
`the University
`
`case,
`
`a very
`
`verdicts;
`
`threat
`
`that CPLR
`
`§ 602
`
`seeks
`
`to avoid.
`
`21.
`
`As
`
`a related
`
`point,
`
`consolidation
`
`necessarily
`
`serves
`
`Murnane's
`
`interests
`
`in
`
`discouraging
`
`Cameron
`
`from
`
`taking
`
`inconsistent
`
`positions
`
`relative
`
`to Murnane's
`
`interests
`
`in
`
`each
`
`action-i.e.,
`
`vigorously
`
`seeking
`
`recovery
`
`for Murnane's
`
`work
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`but
`
`then
`
`repudiating
`
`any
`
`contractual
`
`obligation
`
`to pay Murnane
`
`in the
`
`presumably
`
`later-decided
`
`Lien
`
`Action.
`
`It makes
`
`sense
`
`for Murnane,
`
`and
`
`its
`
`counsel,
`
`to be present
`
`in both
`
`actions
`
`to
`
`defend
`
`Murnane's
`
`work
`
`and
`
`pursue
`
`Murnane's
`
`interests.
`
`from
`
`such
`
`22.
`
`There
`
`is no material
`
`prejudice
`
`to Murnane
`
`a consolidation.
`
`No Trial
`
`Note
`
`of
`
`Issue
`
`appears
`
`to have
`
`been
`
`filed
`
`yet
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action.
`
`If anything,
`
`Murnane
`
`benefits
`
`from
`
`the
`
`fact
`
`that
`
`the
`
`litigation
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action
`
`is further
`
`along.
`
`Murnane's
`
`right
`
`of
`
`recovery
`
`from
`
`Cameron
`
`is a "pass
`
`through,"
`
`to the University,
`
`and,
`
`at
`
`least with
`
`respect
`
`to
`
`those
`
`amounts,
`
`Cameron
`
`and Murnane
`
`will
`
`likely
`
`be aligned.
`
`Murnane
`
`can
`
`thus
`
`benefit
`
`from
`
`the
`
`litigation
`
`and
`
`discovery
`
`already
`
`conducted
`
`by Cameron
`
`to date.
`
`IH3300496.1
`
`}
`
`4
`
`4 of 5
`
`

`

`FILED: ONONDAGA COUNTY CLERK 04/04/2018 04:26 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 112
`
`INDEX NO. 2016EF795
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/04/2018
`
`23.
`
`I am also
`
`informed
`
`that Murnane
`
`documentation
`
`has been
`
`produced
`
`in the
`
`Initial
`
`Action,
`
`but
`
`that
`
`the
`
`noticed
`
`deposition[s]
`
`of Murnane's
`
`witnesses
`
`have
`
`not
`
`yet
`
`occurred.
`
`As
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above,
`
`such
`
`testimony
`
`and
`
`documentary
`
`evidence
`
`has
`
`the
`
`same
`
`import,
`
`relevance,
`
`and
`
`evidentiary
`
`significance
`
`in each
`
`action.
`
`It makes
`
`sense
`
`to conduct
`
`this
`
`discovery
`
`under
`
`a consolidated
`
`framework.
`
`24.
`
`Your
`
`undersigned
`
`has
`
`contacted
`
`counsel
`
`for Murnane
`
`and Cameron
`
`request
`
`for
`
`Counsel
`
`for
`
`both
`
`seeking
`
`that
`
`their
`
`consent
`
`to this
`
`consolidation.
`
`parties
`
`have
`
`indicated
`
`they
`
`would
`
`not
`
`consent
`
`to this Motion.
`
`WHEREFORE,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`reasons
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above,
`
`Syracuse
`
`respectfully
`
`requests
`
`that
`
`this Court
`
`enter
`
`an Order
`
`consolidating
`
`this
`
`case with
`
`Cameron
`
`Hill
`
`Construction,
`
`LLC,
`
`v.
`
`Syracuse
`
`University;
`
`City
`
`of Syracuse
`
`Industrial
`
`Development
`
`Agency
`
`and City
`
`of Syracuse,
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`2014-EF-2722
`
`pursuant
`
`to CPLR
`
`602(a)
`
`and
`
`for
`
`other
`
`such
`
`relief
`
`as the Court
`
`deems
`
`necessary.
`
`Dated:
`
`April
`
`4, 2018
`
`s/ John G. Powers
`JOHN G. POWERS,
`
`ESQ.
`
`(H3300496.1}
`
`5
`
`5 of 5
`
`